ROCKVILLE, Md. – Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian and Arlington Police Chief Fred Ryan were among the national experts to participate in a discussion on implementation of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) programs today.

Sheriff Koutoujian and Chief Ryan were invited to participate in the dialogue convened by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) due to their leadership in implementing programs to assist individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs). The goal of the convening was to develop guidance for implementing MAT programs across the criminal justice system to assist individuals with SUDs.

Sheriff Koutoujian and Chief Ryan are nationally recognized leaders for their efforts to address the opioid crisis in Massachusetts. In addition to participating in today’s convening, Sheriff Koutoujian has previously presented on the MSO’s Medication Assisted Treatment and Opioid Recovery (MATADOR) program at the White House, while Chief Ryan has testified before the United States Senate regarding the Arlington Opiate Outreach Initiative.

“I want to thank SAMHSA and the BJA for the invitation to participate today,” said Sheriff Koutoujian. “As we all seek to stem the tide of the opioid epidemic, nothing could be more important than learning from one another and sharing best practices. This convening provided an opportunity to do both.”

“Those with Substance Use Disorders are our neighbors, friends, and loved ones, and law enforcement stands on the front lines of the battle against this epidemic,” Chief Ryan said. “I am grateful to participate in a dialog with other leaders on this subject, including my friend and colleague Sheriff Koutoujian.”

JUAN CARLOS MARINEZ-SANTANA, AGE 29, OF LAWRENCE was arrested and charged with:

Resisting Arrest

Interfering With a Police Investigation

Trafficking of a Class A Substance Over 36 Grams (Heroin)

Trafficking of a Class B Substance Over 18 Grams (Cocaine)

Providing a False Name to the Police

False Motor Vehicle Document

On Wednesday, Jan. 17, at approximately 2:15 p.m., Chelmsford Police were conducting targeted surveillance in the parking lot of the Drum Hill Shopping Center.

While in the lot, police observed a parked vehicle with a driver inside that appeared suspicious, and continued to observe the car as a second vehicle with three occupants pulled into a parking spot near the vehicle they had already been observing.

A short time later, the driver of the second vehicle exited his car and entered the Walmart store. At about the same time, the driver of the car that officers had been observing — later identified as MARINEZ-SANTANA — exited his car and entered the Walmart.

A Chelmsford Police officer subsequently entered the store and located the driver of the second car as he emerged from the store’s bathroom corridor and exited the store without looking at or buying any items from the store.

Based on their training and experience, the officers recognized this activity as indicative of a potential drug transaction, prompting them to approach the man at his vehicle and initiate an on-scene investigation.

As they spoke with the man, officers observed MARINEZ-SANTANA exit the Walmart and immediately turn around and reenter the store upon seeing the police activity outside. An officer then followed him into the store and saw him place multiple small plastic baggies containing a brown substance into his mouth.

After a brief struggle, the officer was able to get MARINEZ-SANTANA to spit out one of the bags, and saw additional baggies inside his mouth. He eventually spit out the rest of the baggies, and was subsequently taken into custody.

Chelmsford Police then conducted a more in-depth investigation and search of MARINEZ-SANTANA’S person which yielded $400 in cash and multiple cell phones.

A subsequent K9-aided search of MARINEZ-SANTANA’S vehicle led officers to find additional baggies of white and brown powdery substances.

As a result of the investigation, Chelmsford Police also arrested the passenger in the vehicle that arrived during their surveillance, RAESHAWN FERGUSON, AGE 34, OF NASHUA, on a warrant out of Lawrence District Court for a charge of Being Present Where Heroin is Kept.

Both men were scheduled to be arraigned today in Lowell District Court.

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.

Two Suspects Arrested, Two Additional Suspects Wanted by Police

GABRIEL ROSARIO, AGE 41, AND FELIX MANUEL FELIPE, AGE 33, BOTH FROM LAWRENCE were arrested and charged with numerous offenses in Andover on Monday, Nov. 20. (Courtesy photo)

LUIS A. COBIAN-RIVERA, AGE 35, AND EDDYMAR REYES, AGE 23, BOTH OF ANDOVER, are being actively sought by Andover Police and have arrest warrants issued for allegedly trafficking heroin. They are considered armed and dangerous. (Courtesy photo)

Andover Police seized two guns, multiple rounds of ammunition, two pellet guns, heroin and a ballistic vest when they executed a search warrant of an Andover home on Monday, Nov. 20. (Courtesy photo)

ANDOVER — Chief Patrick Keefe reports that the Andover Police Department, along with the Methuen Police Department and members of the Drug Enforcement Administration, seized firearms, heroin, cash and other items, when they executed a search warrant yesterday, as a result of a long-term investigation.

GABRIEL ROSARIO, AGE 41, AND FELIX MANUEL FELIPE, AGE 33, BOTH OF LAWRENCE were arrested and charged with numerous offenses.

FELIPE was charged with:

Trafficking in Heroin over 100 grams (2 Counts)

Possession of a Firearm without a License (2 Counts)

Use of a Firearm in Commission of a Felony

Possession of a Large Capacity Weapon/Feeding Device

ROSARIO was charged with:

Trafficking in Heroin over 100 grams (2 Counts)

Possession of a Firearm w/o a License (2 Counts)

Use of a Firearm in Commission of a Felony

Possession of a Large Capacity Weapon/Feeding Device

Disorderly Conduct

Resisting Arrest

On Monday, Andover narcotics detectives, in collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Administration, searched 100 Woodview Way, Apt. 1102, in Andover. From the apartment, investigators confiscated two handguns, multiple rounds of ammunition, two Airsoft guns (that looked like real guns), 109 grams of a substance believed to be heroin, $20,000 cash and a ballistic vest.

FELIPE and ROSARIO were outside the apartment at the time of the search and were placed under arrest.

Two others, LUIS A. COBIAN-RIVERA, AGE 35, AND EDDYMAR REYES, AGE 23, BOTH OF ANDOVER, are being actively sought by Andover Police and have arrest warrants issued for allegedly trafficking heroin. The two live in the Woodview Way apartment.

COBIAN-RIVERA and REYES are considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information regarding their whereabouts, please contact the Andover Police Department’s Tip Line at 978-470-3864. If you see these individuals, call 911 immediately.

Monday’s search and arrests are the result of an investigation throughout October and November into an alleged drug trafficking organization, operating out of both Andover and Methuen.

“I want to commend the Andover Police detectives, along with the Methuen detectives and DEA for their hard work in this case,” Chief Keefe said. “Getting guns and these deadly drugs off the streets are vital in keeping our community safe. We hope to have the other two individuals in custody as soon as possible as the investigation continues.”